Puppy Parent classes
Puppy Parent Volunteer Orientation & Training for Eyes Ears Nose and Paws
Puppy Parent homes must attend one training before they can foster a puppy. There is one training scheduled for each quarter. Each training is over 3 days on a weekend, and the 2010 course dates are:
January 29-31
April 23-25
August 27-29
October 29-31
Puppy Parent homes only need to take this training one time!
January 2010 Course
When: Jan 29 - 31 (7-9pm Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 12noon-6pm Sun)
Where: EENP Training Room, 209 Lloyd St, Ste. 320, Carrboro, NC 27510
Are there any prerequisites?
To take this course, you must have submitted an application and completed a home visit (please look at our 'Basic Requirements' list below). If you are interested in the class and still need to complete these items, please contact us to make arrangements.
How do I sign up?
Call EENP at (919) 926-0457 or email Deb Cunningham via our contact form.
EENP staff will contact you to confirm your spot in the class.
What are the basic requirements to become a Puppy Parent?
EENP works with interested volunteers to help them decide if Puppy Parenting is a good fit because we want it to be a successful experience for everyone!
Time
Raising and training an EENP pup takes a lot of patience and practice --- which also means a lot of time. We also strive to keep pups in the same home until they near graduation, which can mean keeping a pup for 6 months up to 2 years. During this foster period, Puppy Parents can expect to spend time
- in classes or field trips at least 3 times per month.
- practicing skills like loose-leash walking throughout the day.
- seeking out novel socialization opportunities for pups.
- dropping off pups at EENP's office for advanced training during (2) 3-month periods.
- playing with pups --- a daily necessity!
With very young pups, you can expect to spend time house training the pup to be sure s/he learns to toilet outside on a leash and to teach the pup the difference between puppy toys and other items. When the pup is older, Puppy Parents take dogs with them to public places like the grocery. Running errands with a pup can be fun --- but it's much like having a toddler with you and will take more time.
Support from everyone in your household
We want everyone in your household to be enthusiastic about fostering our pups
A schedule where the pup is not left by him/herself for more than 5 hours per day.
Leaving pups alone for short amounts of time is healthy but, as future assistance dogs, EENP pups need to be integrated into daily life. We encourage Puppy Parents to take dogs to work once they are reliably house trained, if the job environment permits. If you are unable to take a pup to work, please let us know more about your schedule and how you envision integrating an EENP pup into your life.
Ideally 1 or fewer dogs per household and no other puppies under 1 year
EENP pups lead people-oriented lives and, generally speaking, do not play with other dogs. If a volunteer does have a dog, s/he needs to be comfortable having a puppy in the household that isn't available for play that involves tooth contact or chasing. EENP pups also spend a lot of time with their handlers, so other household dogs need to be comfortable with a possible shift of attention . If you are unsure about your situation, please contact EENP for more information.
Easy access to a fenced yard or strategy for safely exercising the pup
Pups need time to sniff around and be in their own space every day. A fenced yard provides a safe space for an EENP pup to explore and get puppy wiggles out and is strongly recommended. There are other options if a volunteer does not have access to a fenced yard, but this must be discussed with EENP staff prior to becoming a Puppy Parent.
What support does Eyes Ears Nose and Paws offer Puppy Parents?
Training
Puppy Parents take a weekend seminar before an EENP pup is placed with them, an 8-week class directly after they get a pup, and weekly field trips where training concepts are reinforced and behavior issues can be addressed. Staff trainers are also available to help Puppy Parents address ongoing issues.
Vacation Homes
EENP trains volunteers who can take EENP pups for short periods, when Puppy Parents need a break or cannot take their EENP pups with them on vacation.
Daytime Drop-off
On days when their schedules are overloaded, Puppy Parents can arrange to drop off their pup at EENP's office for the day during the business week.
Financial Support
Puppy Parents typically pay for basic expenses, like routine vet care and food. This is considered an in-kind donation to EENP and Puppy Parent homes may be able to receive a tax deduction for this donation. For volunteers who are concerned about their ability to cover the costs of Puppy Parenting, EENP may be able to cover these costs. Please contact us to find out more.
